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BOOK BLURB / SYNOPSIS

In a world torn apart by war, three nations stand divided.

The Free Nation

Senator Burton and his son Ben arrive in the Tula strongholds for peace talks, but find that a treaty between the two nations has a price. Confronted by a world of sedate tranquility the two men are appalled to learn that the Tula Council rules with an iron rod of fear and repression. The Council removes anyone who dares to stand in the way of their reforms and Ben uncovers a secret that puts his life in danger.

The Tula

Astra has been pressured into working for the very Council that threatens to kill her loved ones. No stranger to loss, the precariously balanced world she has constructed begins to fracture when Ben starts asking difficult questions about her past. As her deepest secrets are uncovered, Astra finds there are secrets in her childhood that even she is unaware of.

The Una

Kai is Apprentice Headman to the Una people. Unaccountably called upon to sacrifice his honour in the name of peace, Kai's hatred toward this injustice proves all consuming. If the time comes, will he be able to forgive the woman that betrayed him?

When these three worlds collide ugly truths come to light on every side. Is there any way to make peace, or will the world end in discord.

Ben turned to find Sendel smiling softly at him over his glass. Ben felt a prickle of unease work its way over his skin.

How did Councillor Sendel know what he and Astra had done during the day?

Ben tried to shake off his discomfort. After all it had been no secret that he and Astra were to explore the city together.

“I guess she doesn’t like me much.” He watched Sendel take another sip of champagne. “By the way, congratulations: three terms is very impressive.”

Councillor Sendel appeared to have trouble swallowing and Ben suddenly felt his sharp gaze upon him.

“Thank you,” he bowed, “but compared to Corbani’s five terms it is nothing to boast of.”

Ben nodded.

“I hear he had no opposition for the last three terms.”

Councillor Sender’s smile had a chilling undertone.

“Yes, he was only opposed during his two opening terms.” He paused significantly. “He won the first election of course.”

Ben knew what was expected of him and turned to Councillor Sendel with the obvious question.

“What about the second?”

Councillor Sendel smiled again, pleased to see that Ben knew how the game was played.

“It was a great tragedy; Meron Va Dic Padis was the opposition that year but before the polls could take place he and his whole family died in a tragic accident.” Sendel’s eyes met Ben’s. “Of course, Corbani hasn’t been opposed since.”

Ben understood completely and had to suppress a shiver. He had guessed that Councillor Ladron was ruthless but having it confirmed made him feel sick.

“I dare say that Councillor Ladron fills his role so well that no one sees the need for change,” replied Ben evenly.

“Oh, Corbani is very good at keeping… things… in their proper place,” agreed Councillor Sendel. “A man would have to have friends in high places if he wished to oppose him.”

Ben met Sendel's gaze unflinchingly.

“Like Senators and their sons for instance?”

He smiled.

“You think in such small terms, Mr. Burton: any highly placed friends would do.” He placed his hand on his heart and inclined his head but before he left he smiled again.

“I hope you enjoyed Jayn’s coffee, Mr. Burton.”

Ben clutched his champagne flute so tightly that the stem broke in his hand and several shards pierced his palm.

It seemed that Councillor Ladron was not the only one of the councillors with an agenda. Councillor Sendel appeared to covet Corbani Va Dic Ladron’s position and was hoping that the Free Nation would help him attain his ends.

Ben was fully aware that he had just been threatened. If there was one thing a Burton didn’t react well to it was threats and he’d been in the receiving end of too many tonight.

“You’re bleeding.”

“What?”

The newcomer held out a napkin toward Ben.

“Your hand, it’s bleeding.”

Ben made no move to take the napkin from her, so after a small pause she took his hand between her own and, removing the flute from his grasp, studied his palm carefully.

“I don’t think there is any glass in the wound,” she remarked, inspecting his hand closely before wrapping the napkin around his palm and tying the ends in a knot. “You should have it seen to, though.”

Ben watched her hands as they folded the bandage neatly.

“Thank you, Leda.”

For a moment she stilled and when Ben looked up it was to find her regarding him pensively.

“You have a good memory,” she remarked.

“Or maybe you’re just hard to forget,” replied Ben.

Leda raised an eyebrow, her expression unimpressed.

“Did you enjoy lunch with my sister?”

The question threw him, shaking him out of his calm and making his next words surprised.

“Astra is your sister?”

Ben frowned annoyed by the gauche betrayal of his feelings.

Leda nodded pushing the dark curls flirting with her jaw line behind her ear.

“Actually she’s my stepsister,” she responded in the same laconic voice.

Ben studied her face trying to decide how she felt about Astra. Leda had large eyes, amber but with light green flecks, fringed with long lashes and a sprinkling of freckles over her nose that gave her an almost childlike sweetness. Her dress was black and Ben thought that she was probably four or five inches taller than Astra.

But something about her was reminiscent of Astra. Ben couldn’t put his finger on what it was. Almost everything about her was the opposite of her sister: her bold manner, her physical appearance and athletic build.

“Why wouldn’t Astra introduce us at the restaurant?”

Leda shrugged.

“She was probably terrified that I would say something highly inappropriate... so she told me to get lost.”

“And would you have? Said something inappropriate I mean?”

“Judging by our conversation so far, I would say her worry was entirely justified,” she returned.

Ben was silent for a moment.

“She didn’t want me to know you were her sister?”

Leda raised her glass to him in a silent toast.

“Seems like you’re not as stupid as you look.”

Ben was taken aback by the remark, but there had been no malice in her voice, just the plain stating of fact. He decided to let it pass.

“Why wouldn’t she want me to know you were her sister?”

“Stepsister,” corrected Leda. “Guess.”

Ben looked at the young woman standing next to him in astonishment: what was she up to?

“Because you don't get along?”

“My opinion of your intelligence just dropped twenty points.”

Ben chuckled.

“It’s not exactly a fair question.”

“That’s because you haven’t been listening, Mr. Burton.”

Ben frowned, and quickly reviewed their conversation.

“Because she’s your stepsister?” he asked slowly.

Leda nodded.

“Do you like mysteries, Mr. Burton?”

“Depends what I get for solving them,” returned Ben lightly.

“In this case it will be what you don’t get,” Leda’s tone was repressive.

The slight pause between them was interrupted by a new voice.

“Leda, your presence is required elsewhere.” Astra’s words were flat but dismissal was obvious in the shift of her eyes.

“Busted!” remarked Leda with a smile. “It was nice talking to you Mr. Burton, should you tire of my sister’s company feel free to call me.” She held out a slim black stick. “This is a contact strip: Astra will tell you how to use it.”

“Leda it is highly inappropriate for you to give Mr. Burton your number.”

Astra made to retrieve it from Ben’s slack grasp but he jerked his hand back out of her way.

“I’ve never given a pretty woman her number back before and I don’t intend to start now.” he laughed.

“Such behaviour is inappropriate Mr. Burton, I must ask you to return the contact strip now.”

“I don’t think I will!”

For a moment he thought Astra was going to fight him for possession of the contact strip right here in the middle of the ball room with the elite of the Tula nation looking on but in the end she just turned to her sister.

“Go back to your father, Leda.”

Leda nodded.

“Call me, Mr. Burton.”

She placed her hand over her heart and inclined her head before withdrawing.

“She seems like quite a handful,” Ben remarked.

“She shares your delight in rousing the hornet’s nest.”

“Really?” Ben smiled, turning to watch Leda thread her way slowly through the crowd of people. “I wonder how she feels about skeletons...”

Astra gifted him with a frosty glare and suggested that they both return to their table. Ben acquiesced with a chuckle, reflecting that the day might not have gone as he had planned, but the developments had nevertheless been interesting.

Just interesting enough to make him want more.

AUTHOR BIO

Hi everyone! My name is Dee Dee, I’m twenty seven and I live in a beautiful part of Devon, England with my family. I have a younger sister, Jingle, who is a brilliant guitar player, some chickens, duck, geese, pheasants, a cat (that adopted us when we moved in!!!) and some Koi. Fracture is the first book in the Chronicles of Discord series and is a dystopian adventure. I also write post-apocalyptic/dystopian fiction (the Broken City series) and historical romance/adventure (the Lady Quill Chronicles series). I also have a series of short contemporary humour stories (Claire series). I really hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoy writing them. I love reading and have a kindle: I read almost anything with adventure and romance in it! I also like to cook and wear impractical high heels!!! And as you might have noticed I have a horrible addiction to exclamation marks!!!

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Ciana has loved Oran all her life and nothing, not even her father will prevent them from being together. But the Mayor of Stonemark has higher aspirations for his daughter than the village blacksmith. He engages the help of a witch and dark magic to bend Ciana to his will.

Oran knows that he doesn’t deserve Ciana. But their love is stronger than the metal he forges and welds. She has his heart and he will never turn from her no matter the cost.

Separated, Ciana will need all her strength to journey through the deep forest and save Oran from the witch’s curse. Alone and with only a trail of black feathers to follow, Ciana will fight against the odds and attempt to bring her lover home.

Round double, double you go,

Until black feathers upon you grow.

Beak and claw, talon and wing,

Now with raven’s voice you shall sing.

To the heavens you shall fly,

It is my will –

So say I.

BUY & TBR LINKS

EXCERPT

Oran’s arms were around her, holding her tight. She snuggled against him to capture his warmth. Outside the wind had picked up. It caused the branches to scratch against the cottage walls. Ciana closed her eyes but there was something that wouldn’t let her sleep.

She tilted her head back and looked at Oran. His eyelids flickered for an instant before closing altogether. His dark hair had fallen forward and obscured part of his face. Reaching up, Ciana brushed it back.

“You should sleep. The dawn will be here soon enough and we have a long journey ahead of us,” he said as he tightened his grasp.

“I know, but I can’t settle... it’s as if...”

“What?”

“Oh, I don’t know. It’s as if something isn’t right.”

“All is well, my love,” he answered sleepily. “It’s been an eventful day. You’re worried that your father will come after us but we will soon be far beyond his reach.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

“We’ll be long gone before he even returns. Fear not,” he said as he kissed her shoulder. “We’ll be at Havensport in three days and the very thought of Stonemark will be far behind us.”

“I’m sure that’s true,” Ciana said as she closed her eyes and willed herself to fall asleep. But the wind shrieked and circled the cottage and Ciana could not shake the feeling of foreboding.

“Of course I’m right. There is nothing to worry about...”

The door burst open with a bang. The wind tore around the room, circling the bed. With it came leaves, sticks and debris from the woods. Oran threw himself over Ciana in an attempt to shield her from the maelstrom. The wind howled like a banshee and the bed shook, until she was sure that both of them would fall.

“What’s happening?” Ciana shouted.

“I don’t know – but nothing natural I’ll wager,” Oran said as buried his head above hers. “Just hold on, love and wait for it to pass.”

But it didn’t. The wind became stronger and rattled the cottage until Ciana thought the whole thing would blow away. Ciana wrapped her arms around Oran’s waist but let out a cry as a branch dragged across her forearm, scratching and snagging her flesh until it bled.

“Put your arms beneath me and keep down – I’ll protect you.”

“But who will protect you?”

“I’ll be fine as long you’re safe. Everything will be...” Oran broke off as the wind tugged at his body. It began to lift him up.

Ciana grabbed his arms and tried to anchor him to her. “You can’t have him!” she screamed against the circling wind. “You can’t have him!”

Oran held on to the rough wooden bed head and she felt his muscles strain and bulge as he gripped on. “Ciana, I...”

The vortex spun quicker around the room. Noise thundered in Ciana’s ears as she was buffeted by more twigs, leaves and black feathers. She held onto Oran until her knuckles were white and her nails dug into his skin.

“I won’t let you go.”

His dark eyes locked onto hers for a moment. “I love you.”

“Nay, I won’t let you go...” But even as the words fell from her lips her grip slipped.

The force of the wind lifted Oran off the bed. The leaves swirled around him and swallowed his body so only his outstretched arms and head were visible. The strength of the whirlwind wretched Oran from Ciana’s grasp, the bed head snapped and with one final look Oran was dragged off the bed, back through the open door and into the night dark wood.

AUTHOR BIO

Nicole has always been a lover of fairy tales, history and romance. She grew up in Melbourne and Central Victoria and has travelled extensively. Her first passion in life has always been her family, but after studying and achieving her BA in History and Honours in Medieval Literature, she devoted her time to writing historical, fantasy and contemporary romance. She is a full time writer who lives in the Central Highlands of Victoria with her family, where they live in the peaceful surrounds of a semi-rural town.

BOOK SYNOPSIS

For All in the Hope picks up right where Going off Dreams (book 1) leaves off. Nyx wakes up in the dark realm of Tartarus without her man next to her in bed. They had Xylo, the wicked Woodland Dryad prisoner until they discover that not only is she missing, Nyx’s man Tobar is missing too. Plus, another ally and friend, the Feung Phoenix Shifter and best friend of Tobar’s, Zhou is critically injured! There is a race against time to find out what happened and to rescue Tobar before those that want to destroy Nyx and her powers permanently turn Tobar.

In the Earthly realm, Eryn is still coping with the fact that she has to leave her family and everything she knows and loves. She struggles to keep the stress of the realms from shattering her realities. As mortal Eryn, she’s a daughter to loving parents, the bigger sister to her outgoing younger sister Lena, who is living with her, and she’s also trying to balance Ryan in her life. After Christmas, Lena’s ex fiancé makes another tragic appearance that will change their fates forever.

Back in Tartarus, Nyx comes head to head with the Darkness that wants to consume her powers. Just when you would think the battle is over, another sinister entity comes forward trying to claim her powers. Meanwhile she’s continuing to build her relationships with her friends and allies she’s made in Tartarus while also learning the capabilities of her powers that the Darkness wants to consume and wield for their dark purposes. Nyx discovers her qualities within the quests and becomes the deity that will bring light to the darkness.

BUY & TBR LINKS

BOOK 1 (Going Off Dreams)

EXCERPT

Gift of Escape

Opening my eyes the images surrounding me were blurry and unfocused. Not knowing where I was, made me feel sick within the pit of my stomach and threatening to escape. My heart was in competition, feeling as if it were going to burst through my chest along with my breathing; it was catching in my lungs like knives.

Surveying the scene, items started making some sense. When my eyes focused, I could make out the dark room with the help of the soft glow from the lights above me. I knew I had returned. I was back in Arden’s Hut, something didn’t feel right though, I was alone. Immediately I moved my hand to feel the sheets on the bed next to me, only feeling empty fabric and coldness where I expected warmth.

My feet met the cool wooden floor as I searched the small quarters along with the connecting bathroom. He wasn’t anywhere, no note, no sign of him ever being there. My heart plummeted in a swan dive directly to the pit of my stomach, this felt all too real and familiar. The emptiness and dread, as if the darkness would swallow me whole was threatening to entrap my consciousness. Commotion from the hallway broke the threatening fear.

Not being able to hear what was going on; I crept toward the huge thick door. Carefully, I maneuvered my toes on the floor, not to wake the creaky boards beneath me. When I heard a familiar voice say “Get Nyx, we’ll have to tell her.” The knock at the door was a little shocking, making my already erratic breathing nearly stop all together.

Drawing a deep breath in I cracked the door peaking out, my eyes focused on the dark silhouette, light that was being filtered from behind her somewhere. As my eyes adjusted more I could associate the name with the being; Arden. She was one of the first entities I met here in this realm.

While it was dark and perilous there was a sense that there could be more, quite a weird sensation of both hesitation and promise. I knew there were threats possibly lurking in the shadows and yet I also had formed friendships and allies with some unique and wonderful beings here. While the threat was prominent I also felt secure and a sense of being home.

When I first met Arden I had seen her materialize on the edge of a mystical forest, which seemed like a lifetime ago. Her hair, black as the night that plagued Tartarus, and her eyes a mystic violet. She reminded me of a Native American goddess. She had the fighting skills of Qamait; goddess of war with the Nuxalk Nation. Her body looks sculpted like a well-trained assassin, fit with curves to draw any male prey. With her enchanted bow and her whip KiKi to aid in her quests, she was magnificent and wicked to witness in battle.

Arden was more of an older sister figure. Within minutes of meeting her I felt a sense of shared spiritual security within our devotion and dedication to those we hold near to us. Plainly put, I liked Arden. She was usually in better spirits though. Now her face was serious and worried which in turn worried me further and only added to my desperation.

Looking at her through the entrance to my bedroom chamber, the light flickered from the candles in the hallway flirting with her skin enhancing her natural beauty. She said, “Nyx, you’ll need to come with me.”

“What’s going on?” I asked her.

She didn’t answer as she walked up toward the main hall.

The main room in Arden’s Hut consisted of wooden walls that reminded me of the consistency and texture like beavers had whittled the wood. Complete opposite, the floors were smooth and reminded me of a clean chopped tree displaying its many rings of life. When you looked above you could see smoke escaping through a fashioned hide-stretched ceiling. In the middle of the room a roaring fire encompassed by rocks that protect the many pillows thrown about – to which Arden would resort to throwing at guests when the opportunity presented itself. Her hut was comforting and inviting; when you took a deep breath in you could detect all the wonders and smells of the forest, which to me were delightful. You could also tell that her home had been around for a long time. Arden is a direct descendent of the Arduinnian Clan, who are known as the Guardians of the Forest, direct descendent of Diana, goddess of the hunt.

Upon entering Arden’s main room, my stomach immediately wrenched into a horrid knot. Zhou was laying lifelessly on the floor. This made my insides crawl knowing how powerful a fighter he is. Immediately I started contemplating what could have caused this serious condition.

Arden must have been hurting even more so. She had developed a relationship with Zhou and this only increased my concern. Arden, the true warrior that she is, was being strong for everyone. A painful lump was pressing against my throat and my eyes were pleading to cry. If Arden was holding it together, so could I.

I always liked Zhou, and I was sad to see him like this. He was still wearing his electric dark blue pants, with an equally dark purple shirt, and with the red streak in his black hair made him look intriguing. I never understood his fashion statements. I respected him though, as a fighter, a friend, and ally. With Zhou’s New Age fashion sense, it made him seem like he wasn’t from this dimension. Tartarus was more of a realm set with foliage. His choices in wardrobe against Arden’s more naturalistic approach made them both look mismatched. Seeing them together usually made me smile but, not now—

Zhou was a Fenghuang, a shape shifting fire bird, more precisely a fiery phoenix. While he was very skilled in both his forms he is more powerful when he is in his phoenix form. He’s always eager for a fight. Zhou is like that big brother pulling you in to give you a noogie to remind you of the status quo. I’m afraid this time though, the fight won.

A healer Hikmat had his hands on Zhou’s forehead and chest, his eyes closed in concentration, meditating over Zhou’s lifeless body. I didn’t know Hikmat as well as some of the others in the room, I had met him only recently, and I knew he was a healer of sorts. He was a wizard when it pertained to plants, potions, and concoctions. He was a Tobar Segais like Tobar, meaning he possessed wisdom. His eyes stayed closed while his hands remained on Zhou.

Thinking of Tobar made my stomach dive even deeper. As if my stomach detached from the warm blood circulation within my body and plummeted toward the depths of despair— my mind reconnected with another concern that had me riddled right before seeing Zhou on the floor. Tobar, he was missing from our room and if Zhou was lying on the floor defeated… Tobar was an equal opponent.

Tobar was the one that introduced me into the realm. He was the one that my heart connected with and I felt drawn toward, like no other before him. A truly deep soul connection, without him next to me I felt as though a part of my being was missing. He had given me refuge from myself, I felt safe when I was with him. Without him, the danger lurking within the darkness here seemed more prominent and threatening.

With the thought of him not in sight intensified the sinking feeling that had pressed so deeply south. It began to rise more rapidly back up. I had to place my hand over my mouth to reel in my senses.

Arden kneeled down next to Zhou as closely as she could. She gently brushed her cheek against his in an intimate gesture. The room felt as if all the oxygen leaving vacuumed sealed the room, extinguishing the fire, and even the warm inside my body as I felt a sudden chill. Suffocating, I watched as she then placed her lips upon his with a soft wanting kiss. Arden’s eyes began to fill with emotion. I felt for her, as the tears sparkling against her skin escaped their confines and splashed against Zhou’s skin below. She placed her hands on his as she prayed silently.

Seeing her in such distress only made the situation feel more dire. I too bowed my head and closing my eyes.

Desperately I began to pray for Tobar’s safety and Zhou’s recovery. Please Lord, deliver Tobar back to us safely and lay your healing hands upon Zhou; as we so desperately need You now. I pray for those that have made their move against us. They’ll wish they had never been in existence once I finish with them…

My concentration broke off when Avlov and Enki joined us then. They both had bowls in their hands that contained some healing elements. Enki took Avlov’s and kneeled next to Hikmat on Zhou’s other side. Enki and I had only met recently as well. He was known as Lord of the Earth, meaning he had control over the elements and its constituents.

A Wieven, Avlov is also known as a Wise Woman. She has a vast knowledge of healing salves, rituals and how to use the elements for their benefit. She has fierce white eyes that match her white hair and almost a hipster outfit. I always liked Avlov because she wore converses.

The group that was working on Zhou, the healers, are much like those that wield magic. They can manipulate matter and they have a vast knowledge that helps them in their aiding processes. To watch them in action definitely feels like you were experiencing magic in a true form.

Touching my shoulder, Avolv broadcasted a message using her telepathy, “Nyx, I need to talk to you, please come with me over to the table.” Leading me over, she verbally asked “Have you seen Tobar?”

I was on the verge of tears, there was still so much that remained unanswered, and if Zhou was hurt—I could barely articulate “No, I woke up to an empty room, a cold bed and I couldn’t find him anywhere.” My chest flet like it was going to combust.

Arden had joined us and she put her hand around my shoulders to give me a half-hug “We’ll get these—”

But Avlov interrupted her and said, “I think we should get Nyx up to speed with what’s going on.”

Zhou began to stir making some noises and we all ran to his side. I felt so bad that he had to suffer so much. He opened his eyes and found Arden’s first, she took his hands in hers. Then he found mine and started to speak, weakly saying “I don’t… know… what… happened.”

Enki spoke up and said that Zhou had taken Xylo, the captured dryad we were interrogating, some refreshments for when she would wake up.

Zhou continued, “I opened her door… the next thing I knew I was… laying here.”

Hikmat told Zhou that he needed to rest. We gathered pillows as they propped him up, attempting to give him some comfort. Hikmat gave Zhou another potion, this time it was clear. What was it? How easily we were to trust. After he drank it, he smiled before his eyes closed and he was back asleep.

“So where’s Tobar?” I asked plainly.

Everyone looked alarmed. The sick feeling returned and now there was an alarming amount of pressure on my chest. I could sense something bad was coming. It was just around the corner, lingering there like a poisonous snake waiting to strike, taking me down with its dread and despair.

Avlov came to my side, she could be frightening to look at in the eye. Tobar mentioned before she was also known as the White Witch, I guess when you’ve been in existence as long as someone like Avlov has been, you can acquire a few nick names here and there.

She offered me some tea but I refused it, especially since I know how loopy her tea could make me feel. No doubt she added a little something extra to the liquid concoctions to help ease the soul in times of stress or high anxiety. Which would actually be great right about now but, I need my wit about me.

Arden came over to me and put her hands upon my shoulders again. Looking me directly in the eyes she said “We can’t find him.” My chest felt like it burst into flames. My body went limp, and I felt like I was falling. Everything went black.

AUTHOR BIO

K.E. lives in Maryland, which she refers to as “The Land of Mary”, with her faithful guard dog Bryan, her supportive parents, and their little brat-dog Sampson. She has deep-rooted morals and is very faithful in her beliefs. As a person born and raised in Maryland, she is a fan of the Baltimore Ravens and the Baltimore Orioles. When she isn’t writing, blogging, or spending time with those special characters in her head, she loves to watch her shows, to cuddle up with a good movie, or to spend time with her family and friends.

“After years and years of my mother telling me that I should us my talents and write, I finally listened!”

K.E. Nowinsky continues writing and plans to further the Going off Dreams realms as she dives deeper into the characters and will produce more content and books. The next scheduled work will be about one of her characters Arden and titled Arduinna: Guardians of the Forest, slotted for April 2015. She is also continuing Nyx’s quests in the next installment: How Otlen Prepares Eternity, expected to release late summer 2015.

BOOK SYNOPSIS

100,000
children are sexually trafficked every year in the US. In the 1990s, Charlie
was one of those children. She’s spent her adult life getting past that, trying
to become a successful business owner in Serendipity, TX. Relationships are not
goals for her. In fact, she’s not even sure she has what it takes to be a part
of one.

Les is a
fool for love. All he’s ever wanted was a girl. Now that every last one of his
friends are married, and in happy relationships with families, he can’t stop
thinking about the sexy lady who sells house parts, even if everything about
her screams at him to stay away. He just can’t.

When they
are thrown together on a cross-country road trip, Charlie’s past comes back to
her full-force, long-buried memories inundating her. Les seems to be the only
thing grounding her to the present, when everything else seems to be trying to
tear her apart.

While it has
a HEA, the road getting there is long, rough, and dark. Enjoy the
ride.

BUY & TBR
LINKS

EXCERPT #1

They were
passing a sign for White Sands when Les tugged gently on a piece of her hair.
“Let’s stop here for a little bit and stretch.”

She agreed and when they pulled into the national monument,
Charlie was overwhelmed. “Wow…It looks like a beach with no water.”

Les climbed out of the truck and walked into a pristine
patch of sand, unmarred by footsteps. She laughed as he proceeded to mess up
the unadulterated landscape by doing cartwheels and whooping. She watched his
transformation with blatant amusement and a little bit of jealousy. He was so
carefree in almost everything he did. It was breathtaking to watch this grown
man play in the desert like a child.

“Hey, Charlie! Come here!” He called her over to where he
was making a snow angel in the sand, flapping his arms and legs wildly. She
couldn’t help herself. She stood next to him and fell back with a thud, making
her own angel in the sand.

She was close enough that her hand brushed Les’s when she
flapped, and he grabbed it and clasped. She turned her head to look at him and
saw his face breaking into a smile that matched her own.

They gallivanted around, Les piggy-backing her around the
park, having sand fights, and stealing kisses. Charlie couldn’t stop the giddy
feeling erupting from her. Her entire adult life, she’d tried to stay away from
being a part of something like this, and now that she’d finally let herself do
it, she felt like a teenager. She wanted to touch Les all the time, walking
hand in hand, or better yet, with her arm around his torso. She stole looks at
him, and the best were the kisses he pretended to steal from her when she wasn’t
expecting them. She was a part of something special with Les, a half of a
whole, and the possibilities she allowed herself to ponder filled her with an
unfamiliar longing.

They snapped photos of each other clowning around, and
themselves together. Charlie couldn’t remember when she’d had more fun, just
laughing at herself and someone else.

Les deposited her on a hill, with her back to him and told
her not to look until he said so. She closed her eyes and nodded, then with a
mysterious grunt, he was gone. She waited, a small smile on her face, wondering
what he was up to. When he finally called to her from some distance, she
looked.

Les was at the bottom of a hill in an enormous heart he’d
made by shuffling his feet in the sand. Inside the heart were the initials, C +
L. It was an impossibly juvenile endeavor, and it brought a tear to Charlie’s
eyes. She pulled out her phone and snapped a picture.

Back at the truck, she watched, amused, as Les tried to
shake all of the sand out of his clothes before climbing into her truck. He
stripped off his shirt, socks and shoes before shaking everything out. She
ignored the flutter in her belly at the sight of his shirtless chest, and
instead poked fun at him slapping at his jeans.

“Are you always so anal about dirt in vehicles?”

He looked at her, his eyebrows waggling, an impish smirk on
his face. “Why, Sweetness, did you just suggest Anal?”

She blushed furiously, “No.” Getting into the truck, she was
suddenly worried. Did he do that sort of stuff? He seemed so sweet, like a
missionary type guy, maybe doggy-style, but anal? Was he into the hard-core
stuff? Would he want to tie her up? Charlie didn’t do bondage, in any form.

Back on the road, the silence was uncomfortable for Charlie
as she tried to wrap her mind around the alarming thoughts racing through her
head. Finally, she decided to just put it out there.

“Are you into stuff like that? Anal?”

He snapped his head around, shock evident on his face. “It
was a joke, Charlie. I didn’t mean anything by it.” His fingers reached over
for a tendril of her hair, and she rested her cheek on his hand.

“I was just checking. I don’t...” she took a deep breath. “I
don’t like sex like that.”

His hand drifted down to her leg. “I just like sex, Charlie.
And I have an idea if it’s with you, it’ll be amazing, no matter what kind it
is.” He squeezed where his hand was on her thigh. “I don’t need all that other
stuff, blindfolds and toys and stuff. I just like your basic sex.” Just the
image in her mind of the two of them together had a warm pool of moisture
coating the inside of Charlie’s panties.

“So, you’re a missionary man?”

He chuckled and adjusted his crotch while an adorable blush
crept up his neck. Charlie liked that the conversation was getting to him, too.
“Missionary, cowgirl, doggy-style, I like it all, but I like using the correct
holes, and have never felt the need for aids in the bedroom.”

Charlie heard the exhale of relief from her mouth, as well
as Les’s soft chuckle, but she couldn’t concentrate on the relief she felt, she
was too busy tamping down the images of Les making love to her in ways she
didn’t really want to think about right now. Oh hell, who was she kidding? She
totally wanted to think about them.

AUTHOR BIO

Anne has
written her entire life and has the boxes of angst-filled journals and poetry
to prove it. She's been writing for public consumption for the last four years.
Currently she is writing two romance series. In Stories of Serendipity, she
explores real people living real lives in small town Texas in a contemporary
romance setting. In The Four Winds, she chronicles God's four closest
archangels, Uriel, Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael, falling in love and becoming
human. She lives in rural East Texas with her husband and children in her own
private oasis, where she prides herself in her complete lack of social skills,
choosing instead to live with the people inside her head.

BOOK
SYNOPSIS

When Ten year
old Ivee falls asleep one night, she awakens to a strange new world; one
without Adults. She and those like her left behind discovers that anyone
twenty-one years old or older had vanished, including her parents. Along with
the disappearances of loved ones; every modern convenience—electricity,
computers, phones—had been taken away as well. So Ivee discovers
herself in a strange new world and with the realization that she is responsible
not only for her survival, but that of her sister Celia.

Seven years
later, Seventeen-year-old Ivee is happy with her life; feeling safe behind the
gates of the Northlander's camp in the Northern Division of Athol. Things were
good until her sister gets kidnapped by another faction—the Downenders. Ivee
receives a map and a message; she has a week, which is the next full
moon, to make her way to the
southern end of the city, to save her sister. As she sets out on her journey;
Ivee discovers how different
everything has truly become outside the gates of her home. She
witnesses—Phantom Airships, Manbots and Ghostly Wolves—as just a few of the surprise encounters during her quest. She
is not alone; one of her campmates joins her mission, and she also meets a
handsome and mysterious boy, called the Savior. He teams up for their journey,
only saying he has unfinished business with the Downies.

Many truths
arise during the adventure, the biggest truth Ivee discovers is that she will
do whatever it takes to persevere, against the terrors of the dark new
land.

AUTHOR BIO

Michelle
Cornwell-Jordan is a New Adult/Young Adult-Paranormal Author. Her titles
include a YA Novella series Night School Vampire Hunter Trilogy- (SchoolNightz)
and novel Chrysalis.

She is also
the producer of the online radio segment IndieReview Behind The Scenes, where
she and her co-host Jamie B

Musings interviews Indie Authors and Musicians.

Michelle has
been married for 19 years and has a 16 year old daughter. A book lover, her
favorite genre has always been paranormal adventures.

Another love
is writing. Michelle has been writing about as long as she has been a
bibliophile! Losing herself in a fantasy world that she is creating on paper is
how she loves spending her spare time.

Saturday, November 22, 2014

BOOK INFORMATION

BOOK SYNOPSIS

His eyes told
her what his tongue could not.

Nineteen-year-old
Onaiza Shahid is a loner and a dreamer, bookish and socially isolated. A chance
ramble into a chatting software changes everything. The words of a stranger
compel her. Addicted and falling fast, their secret love changes her life. But
will the idealistic teenager get her happily ever after?

BUY & TBR
LINKS

AUTHOR BIO

As a thirteen
year old teenager, Xunaira J. aspired to be an author someday. From short
stories to novellas, she has written them all but as an adult now, she has
published two short stories and is now aiming to publish her first Novel,
Before Time, scheduled for November release. Xunaira resides in Islamabad,
Pakistan and enjoys a hot cup of cappuccino, a good romance novel and her
favorite music from the 80's. Apart from that, when she's not working on her
current literary project, she loves developing mobile applications and studies
as a software engineer.

BOOK INFORMATION

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Lorna lost
everything to war. Her home, her wealth... her lover. And now she wants
revenge.

When her
hasty plan throws her at the mercy of her enemy’s men, she holds little hope of
returning to her kin and fears death is around the corner. But could her
salvation lie in the arms of her dark captor?

Logan has
little time to be dealing with a stubborn noble woman. His orders are to
prepare for war. His laird—the man he owes his life to—intends to join forces
with the Norse and bring a battle to Scotland that will see the fate of the
country forever changed. Scarred, and with no memory of his past, Logan is
determined to forge a new future for himself as well as prove his loyalty to
the laird.

But the
beautiful lass has him questioning his previous life and his goals. When she
starts claiming he once loved her, he knows he’s being manipulated and she’s
taking advantage of his memory loss. So why is it so hard to resist the idea of
having once been her lover?

With the
threat of impending war—a battle that promises to bring slaughter to her
family—can Lorna persuade Logan to believe her, and is the bitter man he’s
become even worth saving?

Whatever the
outcome of the battle, a certain interfering faery is resolved to see fate back
on its correct path. And that means forcing Lorna and Logan together—no matter
their differences.

BUY & TBR
LINKS

EXCERPT

Logan
clenched his jaw and the roar of the storm sounded closer. He had to leave yet
his feet refused to move. Why stay? Why torture himself further? His heart
pounded against his chest. In the next flash, he was close once more. Within
touching distance. He saw her features more clearly now. The distress in her
eyes, the golden strands of hair curling around her pointed chin. The fan of
her lashes lowered and lifted in one slow sweep until her gaze locked onto his.

“Logan,” she whispered, voice tremulous, but he did not know
if that was a plea for him to leave or come closer.

“Logan,” she tried again.

The shaky quality of her voice pulled at his gut. His gaze
traced the curl that flowed over one shoulder and down, caressing her gentle
curves like a lover—like he once had apparently. His palms tingled with the
need to feel the soft give of her flesh beneath him.

The next flash highlighted her trembling form. The fragile
hollow of her neck fluttered with her pulse and his mouth grew dry with the
need to press his lips to it.

Damn her. Like a siren, she lured him in.

He almost backed away. How long they had been standing like
that he knew not. It may have been moments—a mere few flashes of lightening—but
the thickening of the air between them seemed to slow time.

The tremble of her lips gripped his heart, squeezed it hard
and painfully. An aggravating need to take care of her ate into him, softened
him to her.

Logan closed the gap. The next rumble lined up with him
gripping her upper arms and pushing her back against the wall. She gasped, the
sound clear to him even as the skies crashed about them. Hot anger mingled with
need. It burned through him and set his nerve endings alight. How dare she have
such a hold over him, how dare she make him want her?

Soft, delicate breasts pressed against him. Slim thighs
quaked against his. With a hiss of breath, he lowered his mouth to hers as she
stared up at him. Before his lips met hers, her eyes flashed with a plea, but
was she begging him to kiss her or leave her be? He couldn’t decide what he
wanted either, but she left him with little choice.

The first touch made him wonder if he had not indeed been
struck by lightning. Frissons shot through him, curled into his blood and fired
his fury and lust. Lorna released a tiny sound and he pressed his lips hard to
hers this time. She whimpered. Her lips felt hot beneath his. Her taste
threatened to drown him.

Satisfaction settled in his gut when she arched into him. He
kept hold of her arms, allowing little movement but that up thrust of breasts
and hips into him made him hiss and press harder. He coaxed her lips apart, and
she gasped when he invaded the heated recesses of her mouth. Logan kissed her
deeply, with little apology. He needed this, needed her.

AUTHOR BIO

Samantha lives in a small village in England with her
gorgeous twin girls and husband who is a trained bodyguard and ex-soldier. She
enjoys writing historical romance involving chivalrous knights, hot highlanders
and cravatted men, but sometimes gets lured away by bad boy bikers, soldiers
and other heroic modern men.